Bruce Watanabe

Bruce Watanabe is a serial entrepreneur and experienced business executive currently serving as the Co-Founder and CEO of PowerBuy, a social commerce venture he founded in August 2019.1 PowerBuy provides brands and retailers with innovative features such as Group Buy, Multi-SKU checkout, Social Gamification, Social Commerce AI, and Social Shopping through a new interactive checkout experience.1

Professional Background

Watanabe has over 20 years of leadership experience, ranging from startups to Fortune 10 companies.2 His career highlights include:

Entrepreneurial Ventures::

• Co-founder of SETA International, a global systems integration company, where he worked from 2008 to January 20201
• Co-founder and CEO of MassGenie, an online social shopping marketplace, from January 2018 to August 20191

Corporate Experience::

• Various roles at IBM Corporation from 2006 to 2018, including Channel Executive for IBM Analytics and IBM Commerce, and Business Unit Executive in Beijing, China1
• Multiple positions at FileNet Corporation from 2000 to 2006, progressing from Software Engineer to Program Manager of Worldwide Operations & Services1

Education

Watanabe holds the following degrees:

• Executive MBA in Business Administration from Pepperdine Graziadio Business School (2007-2008)1
• B.A. in Economics from UC Irvine (1996-2000)1

Additional Interests

Outside of his primary business roles, Watanabe has demonstrated diverse interests:

• Served as President and Chief Instructor at Newport Beach Eibu-Kan Goju-Ryu Karate from 2003 to 20081
• Was a member of the Orange County Leadership Council at Pepperdine University from 2008 to 20091

Bruce Watanabe's extensive experience in technology, e-commerce, and entrepreneurship has positioned him as a leader in the social commerce space with his current venture, PowerBuy.12